Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai says players need to live up to expectations in inaugural Test against India

Sport360 staff 17:06 13/06/2018
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  • Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai has changed his name

    Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai said it is the responsibility of his players to live up to expectations as they prepare for their inaugural Test against India which begins in Bengaluru on Thursday.

    Stanikzai hopes the buoyant mood back home in Afghanistan will help his team when play begins at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium against the No1 Test team in the world.

    “It is history that we are playing the inaugural and historic Test match against the number one team in the world,” Stanikzai was quoted as saying by AFP.

    “The mood back home is very positive. They expect us to perform well because recently Afghanistan performed really well in T20 and one day internationals and their expectation will be the same for Tests.

    “We have worked hard for this and will try to keep up our good performance in the Test match as well,” the 30-year-old said.

    Afghanistan gained ODI status in 2009 and have since qualified for their second 50-over World Cup – in England next year. They have also been part of four World T20s.

    Afghanistan, who have set up base in India due to lack of a secure environment at home, enter the Test on the back of a 3-0 T20 series win over Bangladesh.

    ALL EYES ON RASHID

    Adding to their confidence is the form of teen sensation Rashid Khan who is now an established international star. Rashid took 21 wickets in the IPL for runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad and scalped eight wickets in the T20 series against Bangladesh.

    Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons said with the spotlight on rashid, other players are focusing on raising their game.

    “Rashid is so professional, he knows how to deal with it. And while he is dealing with it the others have time to work on their own strategies,” Simmons said. “It’s a good thing for the team.”

    The Afghanistan coach, however, was disappointed that his team won’t get to play against one of the premier players in the world – Virat Kohli.

    “I think there will always be a bit of disappointment in the players not to be on the same field as Virat, but at the same time we look to win the Test match and beat India, we don’t beat Virat,” said Simmons.

    “So we are disappointed he is not playing but a little bit happy that we are not going to bowl to him all the time,” he added.

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